Half to edwabd w



(Specimens.)

T; HAWLEY.

I METHOD OF MAKING WATER PROOF FABRICS. No. 331.298.

Patented Dec. 1, 1885.,

/7 /E/; for

N. psrzns. phmumu n m, Wnshmglon. 0. cv

lUrTnn STaTns PaTmvT Trice.

THEODORE HAWLEY, OF FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO EDIVARD WV. EAR-EAL, OE SAME PLACE.

METHOD OF MAKING WATEH-PROOF FABRICS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 331,298, dated December 1.1885. Application filed August 3, 1885. Serial No.173, l35. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEODORE HAWLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fairfield, in the county of Eairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Method of Making Water-Proof Fabrics; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to the manufacture of colored water-proof fabrics, and has for its objects to improve their quality, and at the same time to lessen the cost of production, it being essential in goods of this class that they shall be thoroughly water-proof, soft, and pliable at all times, and be wholly unaffected by extremes of heat and cold.

Heretofore colored water-proof fabrics have been made in two ways. The first way has been to grindthe colors into the Water-proof compound. This plan, however, has necessitated the use of pure gum, thereby rendering the fabric very expensive. The second way has been to apply an uncolored vulcanizable compound to the ordinary backing, and then finish the surface in any desired color by applying the coloring material in the form of an oil dressing, after which the fabric has been vulcanized in the ordinary manner.

I have discovered that I can produce a colored water-proof fabric having superior qualities as regards pliability and durability, and at a greatly-reduced cost of production by applying the coloring-matter dry to the water-proof surface as the fabric leaves the calender, then varnishing the surface and vuleanizing the fabric in the usual manner.

My invention is fully illustrated in the ac companying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating the four component parts of the completed fabric; and Fig. 2, an edge View of the fabric as completed, but on a greatly enlarged scale.

A represents the backing,which may be of any suitable material-for example, a textile fabric, as shown; or a felted fabric or leather may be used. I preferably, however, for ordinary purposes use a textile fabric, as the gum takes firm hold upon it, and it combines the qualities of strength, pliability, and cheapness.

B represents the waterproof compound, which is applied by a calender in the usual manner. The compound itself forms no part of my present invention, as the color of the completed fabric is in no way affected by the quality of the waterproof compound used.

C represents the coloring material,which is applied in the form of powder as the fabric leaves the calender, and while the waterproof compound is still soft and hot. After the coloring-matter has been placed upon the fabric, it is brushed evenly over the surface, and may, if desired, be rubbed or pressed in.

In practice, in making plain fabrics I ordinarily pass the fabric between rolls after the coloring material has been placed thereon. When the fabric is grained, pebbled, or embossed in any manner, the action of the embossing-rollers will be found quite sufficient to thoroughly incorporate the coloring-powder with the surface of the waterproof compound. It will of course be understood that the mechanism employed has nothing to do with my present invention, which relates solely to the method by which the colored fabric is produced. After the application of the coloringpowder, the entire surface of the fabric is varnished, as indicated by D in the drawings. Any suitable varnish may be used. In practice I ordinarily use a shellac varnish, which I apply with a brush. After the surface of the fabric has been varnished,it is vulcanized in the ordinary manner.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. The method of making colored water proof fabrics, which consists in running a ground-work of water-proof material upon a suitable backing, then applying the coloringmatter in the form of powder and brushing or rubbing it into the surface of the Waterproof compound, then varnishing the surface, and finally vulcanizing in the usual manner.

2. The method of making water-proof fabrics,which consists in running a ground-work of suitable material upon a textile backing, then applying the coloring-matter in the form of powder and brushing or rubbing it over the surface, then embossing it, then varnishing the surface, and finally vulcanizing the fabric in the usual manner.

3. As a new manufacture, a colored fabric in which a water-proof compound is laid upon 10 a suitable backing, the coloring-matter placed upon the surface in the form of powder, then varnished over, and the fabric finally vulcanized in the usual manner.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THEODORE HAWLEY.

Witnesses:

J AMES EVERLY, DANIEL MOLONEY. 

